Ripoll Half Marathon 2026: date, course and distances

Plan your race pace

Ripoll is scheduled to host a new edition of its popular road race on Sunday, November 15, 2026, with 5K, 10K and 21K options. The half marathon runs from Ripoll to Sant Joan de les Abadesses and back to the capital of the Ripollès region; the shorter distances offer alternatives for runners looking for a more compact challenge. Available event information lists a 10 a.m. start and a finish at Plaça del Monestir.

The event brings together three road races and a range of participation levels on the same morning. Its main route combines the valley landscape with an out-and-back course, although practical details — including final prices, logistics and any schedule changes — should be checked on the official platform before travelling. The date listed for the 2026 edition is November 15, not November 17, which appears in a secondary listing.

Race date, location and key details

The race is scheduled to take place in Ripoll, in Girona province, on November 15, 2026. The reference information describes a shared 10 a.m. start for all three distances, from the side of the town hall. Since this is a future event, it is sensible to confirm that the time and meeting point remain unchanged as race day approaches.

The programme includes three routes: 5K, 10K and 21K. In local naming, the longest race is the Mitja Marató, while the two shorter events are associated with the names Bressol de Catalunya and Comte Guifré, respectively. The range of distances lets participants share the atmosphere of the day without requiring everyone to take on the same amount of running.

According to the available information, the finish is at Plaça del Monestir, beside the Monastery of Santa Maria de Ripoll. The difference between the start and finish locations matters when planning transport, meeting supporters and collecting belongings. Published details also mention the church of Sant Pere as the planned venue for bib collection and bag drop, although the precise schedule should be confirmed with the organisers.

An out-and-back course through the valley

The half marathon is described as a road route between Ripoll and Sant Joan de les Abadesses, returning to the starting town. It follows the valley corridor, combining urban surroundings with more open stretches. The available description calls the course rolling and gives the 21K route around 100 metres of positive elevation gain. This is not a mountain trail, but runners should not expect a completely flat road either.

The 10K and 5K races share part of the route and turn back earlier, according to the published course description. The middle-distance race is called Comte Guifré and the shorter one Bressol de Catalunya. The available listing assigns around 100 metres of elevation gain to the 10K and 50 metres to the 5K. These figures are indicative and should be checked against the updated map, particularly by anyone seeking an accurate profile or precise turning points.

On an out-and-back route, the terrain can feel different in each direction: a section that seems favourable at the start may demand more effort on the return. Pacing therefore depends on more than the number on the race bib. The rolling profile and November weather conditions make it sensible to avoid starting too fast and to save some energy for the second half, without treating this general guidance as a forecast of the course on race day.

What sets the three distances apart

The 5K is the shortest option for running in Ripoll that day. Its more manageable distance may suit beginners, runners looking for a shorter race or people who want to take part alongside others without committing to a half marathon. Available information links it to the name Bressol de Catalunya. The shorter race is part of the same event, but it has its own identity and may have specific start or course instructions.

The 10K sits between the two other options and covers more of the route without completing the full out-and-back course to Sant Joan de les Abadesses. The reference listing associates this race with the name Comte Guifré. For someone who regularly runs this distance, it could be a seasonal goal; a less experienced runner should consider their preparation rather than choosing solely because of the event atmosphere or date.

The 21K is the main challenge of the day and calls for more sustained preparation than the shorter races. Although the distance is the standard half marathon length, runners should account for the elevation and terrain when planning their effort. Choosing a distance depends on experience, training and personal goals, not on which race seems most popular. Having three options also allows groups with different ability levels to share the start and finish, each with a suitable challenge.

Registration and prices: what is currently known

The reference information identifies mitjamarato.cat as the registration channel. It also gives approximate prices of 17 euros for the half marathon, 14 euros for the 10K and 12 euros for the 5K. Because these amounts are described as approximate and the event is still in the future, they should not be treated as final entry fees: prices may vary according to registration windows, price tiers or conditions set by the organisers.

Registration usually involves submitting participant details and confirming the place through the process specified by the organising body. Before paying, it is worth checking what each entry includes, the rules on transfers or withdrawals, and whether there is a participant limit. Available information mentions a race bib, bag drop and on-course hydration, but does not explain the exact arrangements for each service in 2026.

The event date is listed as confirmed in the information supplied, but that does not mean every operational detail is settled. Place availability, the registration deadline and current entry fees should be checked through the official channel. A race listing can become outdated when schedules or prices change, so the organisers’ current information should take precedence over third-party summaries.

Bib collection, start and participant services

The available reference places bib collection and the bag drop at the church of Sant Pere, with an approximate window from 8 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. This would allow participants to complete the formalities before the listed 10 a.m. start, but leaves little room for late arrivals, problems or travel from elsewhere in town. Confirming the exact time and location in advance can prevent confusion, particularly because the start and finish are not described as being in the same place.

The reference also mentions hydration points along the route and an awards ceremony scheduled for noon at Plaça del Monestir. It does not specify the number of aid stations, what they will provide or which categories will receive awards. Those details may differ in significance by distance, so it is better to check the specific race rules than to assume that every service is identical across all three events.

Supporters can take the distance between the start and finish areas into account when planning where to meet runners afterwards. Available map references identify several car parks in Ripoll, but there is not enough information to confirm their capacity, restrictions or possible traffic closures in 2026. Travel plans should be based on municipal and organiser updates, especially on a morning when racing may affect local traffic.

Ripoll and the setting of a popular road race

Ripoll is a central town in the Ripollès region, and the race uses a setting where urban streets, historic heritage and the valley landscape meet. The finish beside the Monastery of Santa Maria provides a recognisable landmark at the end of the route, while the road towards Sant Joan de les Abadesses takes runners beyond the town centre. The event’s appeal is not measured only in kilometres, but also in its connection with the surrounding area.

The race is presented as a long-running local event, and the reference information points to a history dating back to 1979 and more than 40 editions. That suggests a sustained tradition, although the exact number of editions held can vary because of interruptions or calendar changes. The event combines a competitive race with popular distances, a format that means the day is not reserved solely for runners chasing personal bests.

A route between two towns also offers a different experience from a closed urban circuit: the landscape changes gradually, and runners spend more time following the same geographical corridor. In November, daylight and temperatures may differ from spring races, but the weather on this particular date cannot be predicted in advance. The valley’s atmosphere forms part of the race setting; actual conditions, however, will only become clear closer to the event.

Understanding the course profile and pacing

A road half marathon with moderate elevation still calls for sensible pacing. The figure of around 100 metres of positive elevation gain listed for the race is not enough on its own to determine how difficult it will feel: the location of climbs, road surface, wind and chosen pace also matter. The rolling profile favours running by feel rather than chasing a time calculated for a completely flat course from the opening kilometre.

The out-and-back format can help runners mentally divide the 21K into sections: the start, the run towards Sant Joan de les Abadesses, the turnaround and the return to Ripoll. The exact kilometre markers and gradients are not available, so assigning specific times or paces to individual segments would be unreliable. It is reasonable, however, to arrive with preparation suited to the distance and experience of sustained effort.

On the 5K and 10K races, the shorter duration does not remove the need to manage effort. A course that partly overlaps with the half marathon may involve pace changes or moments when runners are more closely grouped. The official route description and measurements should guide any more precise calculations. The published elevation figure is a reference, not a substitute for the final map, and race times also depend on individual and environmental factors.

Details to verify before travelling

Some third-party listings contain conflicting information: one gives November 17, while others show the 15th. The date supplied for this edition and the main reference information agree on November 15, 2026, which is the date used here. The discrepancy shows why it is useful to distinguish between a race calendar, a commercial summary and current information from the organisers.

The start time, exact meeting point beside the town hall, bag-drop location and marked route should also be confirmed. Published prices are approximate, and there is no conclusive information on registration status, capacity or the deadline to enter. The official platform is the source that should settle operational details once the full 2026 race notice is published.

The difference between the start and finish is important for travel plans: the start is listed beside the town hall and the finish at Plaça del Monestir. Bib collection is linked to a third location, the church of Sant Pere. Before booking accommodation or planning train and road travel, it is sensible to check whether those locations remain in place and whether traffic arrangements have changed. A seemingly minor logistical detail can be the difference between arriving calmly and starting the morning in a rush.

A November race with three ways to take part

Ripoll’s event offers a morning of road running across three distances, on a route that follows a shared axis between Ripoll and Sant Joan de les Abadesses. The 5K, 10K and half marathon suit different goals, while the finish at Plaça del Monestir places the end of the race beside one of the town’s best-known landmarks. The 2026 edition is scheduled for November 15, with the available information listing a 10 a.m. start.

The race’s appeal lies in the combination of a popular event and a route extending into the valley, but practical details from secondary listings should be treated cautiously. The quoted fees are approximate and logistics may be updated. Runners’ choice of distance and pace will depend on their preparation and the final course description; spectators will need the confirmed start, finish and passage points to follow the event without mixing up the different locations.

With a long local history and options for different levels, the event retains the character of a shared race rather than a single challenge. Accurate official information will be essential to turn the initial details into a reliable plan: the date, route, registration, services and schedule should all be confirmed before race day. Until then, November 15 and the three distances are the main reference points for the 2026 edition.